Patents by Inventor Takafumi Naka

Takafumi Naka has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220316115
    Abstract: A sewing machine acquires embroidery data of the embroidery pattern formed from a plurality of partial patterns. The sewing machine selects, as a selected partial pattern, at least one partial pattern from among the plurality of partial patterns forming the embroidery pattern, on the basis of the acquired embroidery data. The sewing machine identifies, on the basis of the embroidery data, an outline of the selected partial pattern that was selected. The sewing machine generates processing data for performing processing following the shape of the selected partial pattern, on the basis of the identified outline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Yoko YAMANASHI, Masashi TOKURA, Takafumi NAKA
  • Patent number: 11149369
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a movement mechanism, a swinging mechanism, a presser device, a guide portion, a processor, and a memory configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes. The processes include acquiring pattern data used for sewing a couching pattern in which a plurality of motifs are continuously arranged. The motif is configured in a predetermined shape by a plurality of stitches including a main stitch and a sub-stitch. The processes include correcting at least one selected from the group of a start point position and an end point position of the main stitch of one of the motifs, such that the length of the main stitch of the one motif is longer in a second case than in a first case, and driving the movement mechanism and the swinging mechanism in accordance with the corrected pattern data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoko Yamanashi, Yukiyoshi Muto, Takafumi Naka, Fuyuki Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20200291561
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a movement mechanism, a swinging mechanism, a presser device, a guide portion, a processor, and a memory configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes. The processes include acquiring pattern data used for sewing a couching pattern in which a plurality of motifs are continuously arranged. The motif is configured in a predetermined shape by a plurality of stitches including a main stitch and a sub-stitch. The processes include correcting at least one selected from the group of a start point position and an end point position of the main stitch of one of the motifs, such that the length of the main stitch of the one motif is longer in a second case than in a first case, and driving the movement mechanism and the swinging mechanism in accordance with the corrected pattern data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Yoko YAMANASHI, Yukiyoshi MUTO, Takafumi NAKA, Fuyuki NAKASHIMA
  • Patent number: 10619279
    Abstract: A decoration pattern data generating apparatus includes: a controller, the controller being configured to control the decoration pattern data generating apparatus to select an embroidery pattern to be sewn, specify an outline of the embroidery pattern, based on embroidery pattern data for sewing the selected embroidery pattern; set an area outside the specified outline, as a decoration area; and generate decoration pattern data for sewing a decoration pattern in the set decoration area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoko Yamanashi, Ryutaro Maki, Takafumi Naka
  • Publication number: 20180347089
    Abstract: A decoration pattern data generating apparatus includes: a controller, the controller being configured to control the decoration pattern data generating apparatus to select an embroidery pattern to be sewn, specify an outline of the embroidery pattern, based on embroidery pattern data for sewing the selected embroidery pattern; set an area outside the specified outline, as a decoration area; and generate decoration pattern data for sewing a decoration pattern in the set decoration area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoko YAMANASHI, Ryutaro MAKI, Takafumi NAKA
  • Patent number: 9885131
    Abstract: A sewing machine acquires sewing data to sew a cross stitch pattern. The sewing machine sets a planned sewing position of the cross stitch pattern. The sewing machine identities a position of at least one interstice on the sewing workpiece based on the generated image data. The sewing machine determines a sewing: position of the cross stitch pattern based on the set planned sewing position, and on the identified position of the at least one interstice. The sewing machine corrects the sewing data based on the determined sewing position. The sewing machine drives the sewing mechanism and the movement mechanism based on the corrected sewing data, such that the cross stitch pattern is sewn on the sewing workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takafumi Naka, Masayuki Hori
  • Publication number: 20150128835
    Abstract: A sewing machine acquires sewing data to sew a cross stitch pattern. The sewing machine sets a planned sewing position of the cross stitch pattern. The sewing machine identities a position of at least one interstice on the sewing workpiece based on the generated image data. The sewing machine determines a sewing: position of the cross stitch pattern based on the set planned sewing position, and on the identified position of the at least one interstice. The sewing machine corrects the sewing data based on the determined sewing position. The sewing machine drives the sewing mechanism and the movement mechanism based on the corrected sewing data, such that the cross stitch pattern is sewn on the sewing workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Takafumi NAKA, Masayuki HORI
  • Patent number: 8903535
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a bed, a sewing machine motor, a drive shaft, a needle bar moved up and down by the rotation of the drive shaft, a first feed mechanism can move the sewing object by making contact from below, a maximum value of the unit feed amount for the first feed mechanism being less than a specified length that is the length of a basting stitch, a second feed mechanism can move the sewing object by making contact from above, a maximum value of the unit feed amount for the second feed mechanism being not less than the specified length, and a control device controls the first feed mechanism such that the first feed mechanism does not move the sewing object and controls the second feed mechanism such that the second feed mechanism moves the sewing object with the specified length being defined as the unit feed amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takafumi Naka
  • Patent number: 8774957
    Abstract: An embroidery data generating device is disclosed. The embroidery data generating device generates embroidery data that is used for sewing an embroidery pattern including multiple color-wise pattern sections with a sewing machine and that includes thread color data specifying a color of each of the color-wise pattern sections. The embroidery data generating device includes a first storage device that stores multiple entries of preset color information; an extractor that randomly extracts color data used as the thread color data from each entry of the color information stored in the first storage device; and an allocator that randomly allocates the color data extracted by the extractor to each of the thread color data associated with each of the color-wise pattern sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryutaro Maki, Takashi Hirata, Takafumi Naka, Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8755926
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle position detector configured to detect whether or not a needle is located at a needle-down position or a needle-up position, a first imaging member configured to image a first range of an underside of workpiece cloth while the workpiece cloth is being moved, a second imaging member configured to image a second range of the underside of the workpiece cloth while the workpiece cloth is being moved, an imaging control unit configured to control an imaging process so that the imaging process is executed when the needle is located at the needle-up position, based on detection result and so that the imaging process is stopped when the needle is located at the needle-down position, an image synthesis unit configured to synthesize the images obtained by the imaging units, thereby obtaining a synthesized image, and a display unit configured to display the synthesized image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takafumi Naka
  • Patent number: 8738168
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a display, a projection portion, a processor, and a memory. The display is configured to display display information related to sewing. The projection portion is configured to project a mark having a predetermined shape toward a sewing machine bed. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the sewing machine to project, by the projection portion, the mark toward the sewing machine bed, and display by the display, mark display information that represents the mark and stitch type display information of a planned stitch type to be sewn, in a first positional relationship that corresponds to a second positional relationship between the position of the planned stitch type to be sewn and the position of the mark configured to be projected on the sewing machine bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takafumi Naka, Hidenori Oka
  • Publication number: 20140116310
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a bed, a sewing machine motor, a drive shaft, a needle bar moved up and down by the rotation of the drive shaft, a first feed mechanism can move the sewing object by making contact from below, a maximum value of the unit feed amount for the first feed mechanism being less than a specified length that is the length of a basting stitch, a second feed mechanism can move the sewing object by making contact from above, a maximum value of the unit feed amount for the second feed mechanism being not less than the specified length, and a control device controls the first feed mechanism such that the first feed mechanism does not move the sewing object and controls the second feed mechanism such that the second feed mechanism moves the sewing object with the specified length being defined as the unit feed amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takafumi NAKA
  • Publication number: 20130139739
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a display, a projection portion, a processor, and a memory. The display is configured to display display information related to sewing. The projection portion is configured to project a mark having a predetermined shape toward a sewing machine bed. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the sewing machine to project, by the projection portion, the mark toward the sewing machine bed, and display by the display, mark display information that represents the mark and stitch type display information of a planned stitch type to be sewn, in a first positional relationship that corresponds to a second positional relationship between the position of the planned stitch type to be sewn and the position of the mark configured to be projected on the sewing machine bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Takafumi NAKA, Hidenori OKA
  • Publication number: 20130138240
    Abstract: A display control apparatus includes a display control portion that is configured to cause a display portion to display a first display area and a second display area, the display portion being configured to display an image, the first display area being displayed adjacent to the second display area, the first display area being an area that displays first information that includes information that pertains to sewing, and the second display area being an area that displays second information that includes information that pertains to sewing and that is different from the first information, and a size change portion that is configured to change a size of at least one of the first display area and the second display area that are displayed on the display portion by the display control portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takafumi NAKA, Tomoko SHIKAI
  • Patent number: 8347799
    Abstract: A sewing machine operating device includes a plurality of operating members configured to be operated by a user with his/her foot, the operating members having respective detectors which each detect an action of the foot in a contact or non-contact manner and include at least two detectors mounted so as to be opposed to each other while the foot placed on the base is interposed between the detectors from sides of the foot, a signal output unit configured to generate an operation signal according to operation of each operating member and deliver the operation signal via a connecting mechanism to the sewing machine body, and a position adjusting mechanism configured to change a position of at least one of the operating members mounted on the base, the position adjusting mechanism including a distance adjusting mechanism adjusting a distance between the at least two detectors in an increasing or decreasing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryutaro Maki, Takafumi Naka, Shoichi Taguchi, Masayuki Iwata
  • Publication number: 20120245727
    Abstract: A sewing machine system including a sewing machine and a computer interconnected with each other is disclosed. The computer is configured to store sewing information and the sewing machine is configured to form sewing patterns on a workpiece based on the sewing information. The sewing machine includes a connecting unit configured to establish connection with the computer; an input unit configured to receive user inputs; an accessing unit configured to access the sewing information stored in the computer through the connecting unit based on the user inputs made through the input unit; and a disclosing unit that discloses sewing machine information pertaining to the sewing machine to the computer through the connecting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takafumi NAKA, Motoshi KISHI
  • Publication number: 20120234222
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a sewing machine bed on which a workpiece cloth is to be placed and a cloth feed mechanism located in the bed to move the workpiece cloth in a predetermined feed direction, an imaging unit located in the bed for imaging an underside of the workpiece cloth, the imaging unit including a first imaging unit which images a first range of the underside of the workpiece cloth and a second imaging unit which differs from the first imaging unit and images a second range of the underside of the workpiece cloth, an image synthesis unit which synthesizes the images obtained by the first and second imaging units, obtaining a synthesized image, and a display unit which displays the synthesized image obtained by the image synthesis unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takafumi NAKA
  • Publication number: 20120197430
    Abstract: An embroidery data generating device is disclosed. The embroidery data generating device generates embroidery data that is used for sewing an embroidery pattern including multiple color-wise pattern sections with a sewing machine and that includes thread color data specifying a color of each of the color-wise pattern sections. The embroidery data generating device includes a first storage device that stores multiple entries of preset color information; an extractor that randomly extracts color data used as the thread color data from each entry of the color information stored in the first storage device; and an allocator that randomly allocates the color data extracted by the extractor to each of the thread color data associated with each of the color-wise pattern sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryutaro MAKI, Takashi HIRATA, Takafumi NAKA, Masashi TOKURA
  • Publication number: 20120060733
    Abstract: A sewing machine operating device includes a base, a connecting mechanism which electrically connects the sewing machine operating device to a sewing machine body, a plurality of operating members which is mounted on the base and operated by a user with his/her foot, a signal output unit which generates an operation signal and delivers the operation signal via the connecting mechanism to the sewing machine body, the operation signal being according to operation of each operating member, and a position adjusting mechanism which changes a position of at least one of the operating members mounted on the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryutaro MAKI, Takafumi NAKA, Shoichi TAGUCHI, Masayuki IWATA
  • Patent number: 8028633
    Abstract: A sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing includes a plurality types of embroidery frames which hold a workpiece cloth; a carriage that has the embroidery frame detachably attached thereto by sliding the embroidery frame in a predetermined direction; a frame moving unit that moves the carriage in two directions intersecting in a horizontal plane; a control unit that controls the frame moving unit; a detection that detects a type of embroidery frame attached to the carriage; an operation instructing portion that allows a user to instruct movement of the embroidery frame to a predetermined position suitable for attachment/detachment of the embroidery frame, the operation instructing portion outputting a movement instructing signal to the control unit when operated; and a validating unit that validates operation of the operation instructing portion provided that an attachment of a specific type of embroidery frame is detected by the detection mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takafumi Naka, Yasuhiro Watanabe